Hello, kitty: could cat allergy be a form of intoxication?

Background: The relationship between slow loris ( spp.) venom (BGE protein) and the major cat allergen (Fel d 1) from domestic cat () is known for about two decades. Along this time, evidence was accumulated regarding convergences between them, including their almost identical mode of action.

Ovariectomy reduces the cardiac cytoprotection in rats exposed to particulate air pollutant.

Fine particulate matter (PM) has been considered a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases by inducing an oxidative and inflammatory phenotype. Besides, the reduction of 17β-estradiol (E2) levels during menopause is a natural risk for cardiovascular outcomes. During the E2 downfall, there is a high requirement of the 70-kDa heat shock proteins (HSP70), which present essential antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anti-senescence roles.

Cell growth analysis and nucleotide excision repair modulation in breast cancer cells submitted to a protocol using doxorubicin and paclitaxel.

Introduction: One of the most used regimens to treat breast cancer is the dose-dense ACT protocol, a combination of anthracycline doxorubicin (DOX) with cyclophosphamide and paclitaxel (PCTX). However, many tumors show resistance to the protocols applied. It is known that the nucleotide excision repair (NER) pathway acts by removing the DOX-generated lesions, and this, together with other DNA repair pathways, can modulate the response to treatment.

A-family anti-inflammatory cyclopentenone prostaglandins: A novel class of non-statin inhibitors of HMG-CoA reductase.

Disruption of the intracellular lipid balance leading to cholesterol accumulation is one of the features of cells that participate in the development of atherosclerotic lesions. Evidence form our laboratory indicates that anti-inflammatory cyclopentenone prostaglandins (cyPGs) of A- and J-family deviate lipid metabolism from the synthesis of cholesterol and cholesteryl esters to the synthesis of phospholipids in foam-cell macrophages. cyPGs possessing an α,β-unsaturated cyclopentane ring are highly electrophilic substances able to promptly react with reactive cysteines of intracellular molecules through Michael addition.

Central Serous Chorioretinopathy Classification.

Central serous chorioretinopathy is characterized by an idiopathic neurosensory detachment of the retina. This narrative review aims to discuss the classification system used for central serous chorioretinopathy. Based on our current knowledge, there is no universally adopted classification system.

Ovariectomy enhances female rats' susceptibility to metabolic, oxidative, and heat shock response effects induced by a high-fat diet and fine particulate matter.

Obesity and exposure to fine particulate matter (air pollutant PM) are important risk factors for metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. They are also related to early menopause. The reduction of 17β-estradiol (E2) levels during female climacteric, marked by menopause, is of significant concern because of its imminent influence on metabolism, redox and inflammatory status.

Effect of QTC-4-MeOBnE Treatment on Memory, Neurodegeneration, and Neurogenesis in a Streptozotocin-Induced Mouse Model of Alzheimer's Disease.

Growing evidence suggests that drugs targeting neurogenesis and myelinization could be novel therapeutic targets against Alzheimer's disease (AD). Intracerebroventricular (icv) injection of streptozotocin (STZ) induces neurodegeneration through multiple mechanisms ultimately resulting in reduced adult neurogenesis. Previously, the multitarget compound QTC-4-MeOBnE (1-(7-chloroquinolin-4-yl)--(4-methoxybenzyl)-5-methyl-1-1,2,3-triazole-4-carboxamide) demonstrated beneficial effects in preclinical models of AD.

Physical fitness attenuates the genetic predisposition to obesity in children and adolescents.

Obesity is an important risk factor associated with non-communicable cardiometabolic diseases. Previous studies have indicated that children and adolescents with a predisposed genetic risk for obesity could benefit from an active lifestyle, but there are no studies investigating whether physical fitness moderates the association of genetics and obesity. The aim of this study was to verify the moderating role of physical fitness in the relationship between genetic risk score (GRS) and body mass index (BMI) in children and adolescents.

Pathology of TB/COVID-19 Co-Infection: The phantom menace.

Tuberculosis (TB) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are currently the two main causes of death among infectious diseases. There is an increasing number of studies trying to elucidate the interactions between Mycobacterium tuberculosis and SARS-CoV-2. Some of the first case reports point to a worsening of respiratory symptoms in co-infected TB/COVID-19 individuals.

Effects of grape juice consumption on oxidative stress and inflammation in male volleyball players: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

Introduction: Some foods are also demonstrated benefits, such as anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and ergogenic activity, similar to that of sports supplements. Grape juice has been considered an important source of polyphenols and these compounds could promote positive effects to the sports players. In this sense, the objective was to evaluate the effects of purple grape juice consumption on indicators of oxidative stress, inflammation, muscle damage, global histone H4 acetylation levels, and muscle strength and muscle power in volleyball athletes.

Breast cancer survival in Brazil: How much health care access impact on cancer outcomes?

Background: Breast cancer has a high incidence and increasing mortality in Southern Brazil. The present study evaluated clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, and their association with overall survival in a private cancer center.

Methods: 1113 breast cancer patients were included in this study.

Early hepatic arterial thrombosis in liver transplantation: Systemic intravenous alteplase as a potential rescue treatment after failed surgical revascularization.

eHAT is one of the most dreaded post-LT complication. Treatment approaches include retransplantation, revascularization, or observation. Systemic thrombolytic therapy is used in pediatric patients with thromboembolic events.

The power of knowledge about dementia in Latin America across health professionals working on aging.

Introduction: Expert knowledge is critical to fight dementia in inequitable regions like Latin American and Caribbean countries (LACs). However, the opinions of aging experts on public policies' accessibility and transmission, stigma, diagnostic manuals, data-sharing platforms, and use of behavioral insights (BIs) are not well known.

Methods: We investigated opinions among health professionals working on aging in LACs (N = 3365) with regression models including expertise-related information (public policies, BI), individual differences (work, age, academic degree), and location.

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate induces generation of reactive oxygen species and activation of p53-dependent cell death in human endometrial cancer cells.

Fructose-1,6-bisphosphate (F1,6BP), an intermediate of the glycolytic pathway, has been found to play a promising anticancer effect; nevertheless, the mechanisms involved remain poorly understood. The present study aimed to evaluate the effect and mechanisms of F1,6BP in a human endometrial cancer cell line (Ishikawa). F1,6BP showed an antiproliferative and non-cytotoxic effect on endometrial cancer cells.

Cryptococcosis in HIV-AIDS patients from Southern Brazil: Still a major problem.

Introduction: Cryptococcus neoformans is an opportunistic pathogen that causes ∼15% mortality in AIDS patients. Rio Grande City, Rio Grande do Sul (RS), Brazil, has the highest national rate of HIV/AIDS, considering cities with population more than 100,000 habitants.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the clinical and epidemiological profile of cryptococcosis in a reference service for HIV-AIDS patients in the South region of Brazil, over seven years.

Determination of volatile compounds responsible for sensory characteristics from Brazilian extra virgin olive oil using HS-SPME/GC-MS direct method.

Producing of extra virgin olive oils (EVOOs) containing pleasant sensory notes depends on fruits quality and production process and is strongly associated with their classification that is based on aroma and sensory taste. Consolidated as an efficient method, the direct headspace solid phase microextraction technique (HS-SPME) was utilized to characterize the volatile organic compounds (VOCs) profile, which contributes to the aroma of olive oils from southwestern (Serra da Mantiqueira region) and southern (Campanha Gaúcha region) Brazil. In this work, the relationship between the VOCs and sensory characteristics has been established; 19 EVOO samples (12 from Campanha Gaúcha and 7 from Serra da Mantiqueira) were studied.

Obstructive sleep apnea and severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Background: Mechanisms involving obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are under increasing assessment. This study evaluated the correlation of OSA with the severity of NAFLD.

Materials And Methods: Prospective study in which patients with at least one of metabolic syndrome (MS) criteria were initially assessed by the NAFLD fibrosis score and according to the outcome (intermediate or high risk of advanced fibrosis) underwent liver biopsy (exception of patients with clinical, ultrasound or endoscopic diagnosis of cirrhosis).

Evaluating quality indicators through the quantification of histamine and bacterial communities.

Primarily formed by the microbial decarboxylation of the amino acid histidine, histamine is the leading global cause of food poisoning from fish consumption worldwide. In the present work, the quality of 12 fresh and 12 frozen marketed sardines () were evaluated for histamine concentration using High-performance Liquid Chromatography with Diode-Array Detection (HPLC-DAD), while the detection and quantification of histamine-producing bacteria were performed via quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (qPCR), and the microbiota composition of sardines was assessed through amplification of the gene using high-throughput sequencing (HTS). According to the results obtained by HPLC-DAD, histamine concentration ranged from 226.

Positive psychological characteristics in patients with metabolic syndrome associated with prospective changes in diet and anthropometric factors.

The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) is increasing worldwide, and diet therapy plays a key role in treating this disease. Since most patients show difficulties in adhering to nutritional interventions, research on the association of positive psychological characteristics with greater engagement in physical health is relevant to this field. The present study aimed to evaluate the association between positive psychology attributes (optimism, hope, self-esteem, positive/negative affect and life satisfaction) and changes in diet quality and anthropometric parameters of individuals with MetS who received nutritional counseling.

Translation and cross-cultural adaptation of 14-item Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener and low-fat diet adherence questionnaire.

Background And Aims: The Mediterranean diet and the low-fat diet are recognized as cardioprotective dietary patterns, and the use of validated instruments that quickly identify adherence to these diets is very useful in the daily practice of the nutritionist. Our aim was to translate and cross-culturally adapt the 14-point Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) and a 9-item quantitative score of compliance with the low-fat diet (low-fat diet questionnaire) to the Brazilian Portuguese language.

Methods: The process of translation and cultural adaptation was conducted in six stages: initial translation, synthesis of translations, back-translation, proof of cross-cultural equivalence, pre-final version testing, and final evaluation of the cultural adaptation process.

Telemedicine: a Bridge Over Knowledge Gaps in Healthcare.

Purpose Of The Review: The purpose of the review is to describe the Brazilian Telemedicine University Network RUTE concerning the Special Interest Group of Children and Adolescents, the new SIG-COVID19-BR activities for continuing medical education, and to update relevant information regarding diagnosis and treatment, using digital technologies.

Recent Findings: A total of 145 sessions of video and webconferences were held with the participation of 6575 health professionals, including medical students, interns, and residents. Major topics involved the healthcare of children and adolescents were combined with the emergence of a new pandemic plus the need to decrease the professional knowledge gaps in geographically distant hospitals.

High- and moderate-intensity training modify LPS-induced ex-vivo interleukin-10 production in obese men in response to an acute exercise bout.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the inflammatory (peripheral and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated released from whole blood) and metabolic (glucose and insulin) profile of inactive obese men in response to two isoenergetic models of aerobic exercise training (~300  kcal each exercise session). Twenty-two participants (28.7 ± 1.

Social losses predict a faster onset and greater severity of obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Background: While stressful life events increase the risk of developing a range of psychiatric disorders, including obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), their ability to precipitate specific obsessive-compulsive symptoms' dimensions is unknown. Here we aimed to evaluate the potential role of three different types of stressful life events, herein termed losses (death of a loved one, termination of a romantic relationship and severe illness) in predicting the speed of progression from subclinical to clinical OCD and the severity of specific OCD dimensions in a large multicentre OCD sample.

Methods: Nine hundred and fifty-four OCD outpatients from the Brazilian OCD Research Consortium were included in this study.